Lane notches first TPS victory at Thunder Hill Raceway

Rookie driver Ja Lane recorded his first ever Texas Pro Sedan Series victory late Saturday night at Thunder Hill Raceway in Kyle.

Lane, who drives a Ford Focus, started fourth on the grid. Lane is the son of veteran stock car drive Pat Lane, who retired from racing a few years ago after driving Late Model stock cars at San Antonio Speedway.

Sergio Hexsel, driving a Volkswagen Rabbit, finished second after starting sixth in the lineup. Only one second separated Hexsel and Lane at the finish.

Six-time TPS champion Bill LaBarge of Bryan, led the first six laps of the race. He won the second qualifying heat race in his BMW race car.

Lane passed LaBarge on the sixth circuit and then paced a 15-car field to the finish line.

LaBarge finished the race in third, followed by Mike Knotts in fourth and Rick Dawdy in fifth. The top four drivers were running on the lead lap at the finish.

Defending TPS champion Donnie Moore of Hutto, won the first qualifying heat race. His car experienced engine failure on the last lap of the heat race and he was unable to make the starting grid for the feature race.

Hexsel, the TPS point’s leader, extends his lead in the standings to only nine points over Lane, whose victory enabled him to move into second place in the standings.

The San Antonio-based, four-cylinder stock car series will return to action at THR on June 23.

Below are the official race results and point standings for the Texas Pro Sedan Series race at Thunder Hill Raceway.